Photo Credit: Warren Woon
“When we feel connected to the vastness of life and are confident of life’s abundance, we are naturally generous and able to practice the third yama, non-stealing (asteya).
”
During one of our Sutra Study group discussions, we talked about Asteya (which is Sanskrit for non-stealing) and the conversation evolved into whether or not we should be saying Namaste at the end of class.
Namaste comprises of the root words “namah” and “te”, literally means “bowing to you” or “I bow to you.”
Culturally, it's a greeting in the Indian household for when they greet and respect another. But not when they leave.
So the contention is if Namaste is akin to the word Welcome or Hello - we don’t say Welcome at the end of class or when we leave a party, do we?
““You can go about it as cultural appreciation or cultural appropriation.
You have to be very careful. Some things are really sacred and important to other cultures, so you have to be aware, politically, about those things before you just adopt them.
”
Hello Welcome Namaste
For as long as I can remember, every class that I’ve attended always ended with Namaste, and in my teacher trainings, that was how I was taught.
It does make sense (and culturally appropriate) to say Namaste in the beginning of the class, and we don’t do that.
So this means that I am, through no fault of mine, misappropriating the word - Namaste.
Misappropriation is a form of stealing (that’s how it got into the Asteya conversation) where it can interpreted as to put to wrong use or one unfairly “taking” something, entrusted into one’s care.
And it’s not a matter of whether I’m wrong or he’s right, we should or should not, ought to or not, but it’s to do with the intention.
Are you using it to serve others?
Or if you’re not using Namaste in the way it is to be used, are you using it for yourself - "Is it a script you’re following? Is it because you’re rushing to end class? Not sure what else to say? Trying to look good?”
This is an opportunity to get curious about what’s possible beyond the word Namaste. To drop our knowing and be a beginner again.
“Learn and deepen your practice by honouring the roots of yoga. ”
Alternate ways to Say namaste at the end of class
Knowing what we know now, we can do more in discovering how to say Namaste respectfully.
I’m not an expert since I’m still learning and absorbing the information so I’d encourage you to read Susanna Barkataki's post on Namaste.
One of her advice is first to learn how to pronounce it in the appropriate way - "na-muh-steh," with the emphasis on the second syllable.
Not ”nam-ah-staaay” with the emphasis on the third syllable, like is often sing-songed at the end of yoga classes.
In the same post, she offers a great FREE resource on "Alternative ways to say Namaste at the End of class” - so you should really check her out.
Another up-and-coming resource you can follow is an Instagram account @Yogaisindian , which is co-created by one of my Baptiste Yoga teacher/friend, Ashish. Their purpose is to bring awareness around cultural appropriation of yoga and they will be sharing stories around roots of yoga, yoga in India, the relevance of Namaste, and lots more.
“Namaste means that my soul acknowledges yours -
not just your light, your wisdom, your goodness, but also your darkness, your suffering, your imperfections.
It means that I honor all that you are with all that I am.
”
To Namaste or Not to Namaste, that is the question
Recently, I read a Facebook post by Alfian Sa’at, a local Singapore writer, on cultural appropriation and he asked a really good question at the end - “Are you using culture as an essence or an accessory? How about you listen first before saying there is no problem? How about we start seeing things with the other person’s eyes?”
I’ve to be honest here.
This topic triggered me. It triggered my deepest, darkest fear, which is “I’m wrong and I’m not a good teacher.”
When I’m uncomfortable, my default would be to avoid and sweep it under the rug.
Yet I feel a sense of responsibility to share this particular conversation because it’s important.
In the wise words of Amandla Stenberg - “Bigger than you or me. Discussions are healthy. Ignorance is not.”
So my answer would be saying Namaste is more like an essence to me, rather an appendix at the end of my class notes.
I know it’s still okay to say Namaste at the end of class, if it is to serve others, and if my intention is coming from a place of love and support; and to acknowledge (bow) the light within all of us.
And since I’m in the work of living life with kindness, I’m in also listening of my words, because what I say matters and makes a difference.
There is always another way.
I’m open to possibilities.
AND HERE I AM.
I GIVE UP MY LIE OF I’M WRONG AND I’M NOT A GOOD TEACHER.
MY NEW WAY OF BEING IS OF COURAGE AND LOVE
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Before I end this post, I’d like to acknowledge Paige Elenson for facilitating our sutra study session every Thursday and my friend, Gaye Wolfson , for bringing up this topic, which now I realised was in my blindspot.
Namaste. The light in me honors the light in you twos and everyone in the sutra study group.
If you want to know more the study group, email me at hello@sophiexsanders.com or you can click HERE for additional details. Every Thursday 9pm SGT, we look at a different yoga sutra of Patanjali each time and we explore how we can adapt it off the mat and into our lives.
